The number of people killed in Myanmar following a powerful earthquake has risen to 694, and 1,670 others injured, according to the country’s military government.
The head of the military government has confirmed a further 68 are missing and has ordered a prompt rescue effort following the 7.7 magnitude quake.
It struck at around 12.50pm local time (6.20am UK time) on Friday at a shallow depth of six miles.
The quake’s epicentre was about 10 miles from the second city of Mandalay.
There were also aftershocks, with one measuring a strong 6.4 magnitude 12 minutes later.
Neighbouring Thailand was also affected, with eight people dead, eight injured and 79 missing.
Buildings in five of Myanmar‘s cities and towns collapsed, along with a railway bridge and a road bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, state media reported.
Recalling the moment they left their home in Mandalay, one resident said they “ran out of the house as everything started shaking”.
They added that they “witnessed a five-storey building collapse in front of [their] eyes”.
“Everyone in my town is out on the road and no one dares to go back inside buildings.”
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